Top

Fall 2016 : My Colorectal Cancer Moon Shot

My Colorectal Cancer Moon Shot

Amy Scarbrough, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, is a loving mother and a three-year survivor of colorectal cancer (CRC).

BY Amy Scarbrough

Amy and Troy Scarbrough. Photo courtesy of Amy Scarbrough.

On Dec. 16, 2013, an emergency surgery revealed I had stage IV colon cancer. I was 49, in complete shock and still processing the gravity of the diagnosis. It was a very difficult Christmas, one that could have potentially been our family's last together. As I recuperated at home, a story came on TV about an experimental treatment using the immune system to directly battle colon cancer. The patients' amazing responses gave me much needed hope.

Family and friends urged me to seek help at MD Anderson. But my cancer continued to metastasize, after three major surgeries and three chemotherapy protocols. Dr. Christopher Garrett suggested I consider participating in an immunotherapy trial that could possibly result in a new targeted therapy for colon cancer. Christine Fark, a research nurse, called me on Dec. 19, 2014 to tell us they had an opening.

After beginning the new trial, I received the fantastic news that nivolumab, a checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy, was enabling my immune system to recognize and attack my cancer. This groundbreaking research of my oncologist, Dr. Michael Overman, and his team, is making colon cancer history that will save or extend lives like mine and give hope to other colon cancer patients. As an added blessing, this immunotherapy has not included the side effects that came along with chemotherapy.

Because of the commitment, hard work and innovation that Dr. Overman and his team have invested in colorectal cancer research, there is a lot of hope on the horizon. These breakthroughs are helping achieve the Moon Shots Program's™ goal of reducing colorectal cancer deaths by 30% in 10 years.

As the Moon Shots Program™ focuses on immunotherapy and clinical applications, molecular research, early detection and prevention, the advances being made now have meaningful benefits for those affected by colorectal cancer.

Scarbrough family blog
Video interview

What's your moon shot? Contact us at promise@mdanderson.org and tell us why MD Anderson's Moon Shots Program™ is important to you.

More Stories From Promise

MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors adds nine new members

The MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors, an appointed board of volunteers charged with advancing MD Anderson's mission to end cancer, welcomed nine new members at its Nov. 11 annual meeting. The new group reflects the board's national and international presence.

Mattress Mack donates $500,000 to cancer research

He’ll save you money and then some

M.D. Anderson Foundation funds neurodegeneration research

Hope for Alzheimer's

Giving a Baer hug to MD Anderson

Floridians Elaine and Bobby Baer show their gratitude

About MD Anderson's Colorectal Cancer Moon Shot

MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Colorectal Cancer Moon Shot aims to reduce colon cancer deaths by 30% over the next 10 years

MD Anderson Cancer Center's Moon Shots Program™

MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Moon Shots Program™ is a results-oriented, patient-driven, comprehensive effort to reduce cancer deaths and transform cancer care.

MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors Chair Jim Mulva

Jim Mulva began his two-year term as chair of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors on Sept. 1. Mulva was CEO of ConocoPhillips from 2002 until he retired in 2012. He began his energy career at Phillips Petroleum in 1973. Mulva and his wife of 47 years, Miriam, are members of the Anderson Assembly, an organization honoring donors who have made lifetime commitments of $1 million or more to MD Anderson. The Miriam and Jim Mulva Conference Center at MD Anderson is named in recognition of their $5 million gift to support melanoma research.

Cancer survivor grateful for cancer treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Survivor Mark Rolfing applies golf wisdom to cancer

MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors member shares family's story of cancer survivorship

Wayne Gibbens has been a member of the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors (BOV) since 1981. He and his wife, Beth, live in Middleburg, Virginia.

Teenage baker makes sweet donation in honor of grandmother

Emily Caplan raises $10,000 through cookbook sales

2016 Rogers Award honors excellence in cancer prevention

Educator, clinician and researcher helps advance tobacco cessation

Boot Walk to End Cancer™

Conversation With a Living Legend® in Dallas raises $730,000 for MD Anderson Cancer Center

Living Legend luncheon in Dallas honors 'father of aerobics'

Lemonade stand raises money for breast cancer research

The carefree days of summer are anything but for Lily Deagan, 11, and Lucy Keith, 10, of Victoria, Texas. The two friends who share a love of sports and a passion for helping others decided to open a lemonade stand this past summer. The goal? Raise money for cancer research. In a few hours, the girls raised $220 for breast cancer research at MD Anderson, a place they say is near and dear to their hearts.